Sultan Nazrin Proposes Global Waqf Governance Framework to Revitalise Dormant Islamic Endowments

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 — Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah has proposed establishing a common, internationally adoptable set of core principles for waqf governance to standardise and strengthen the administration of Islamic endowments worldwide.

Gracing the opening of the International Waqf Da’wah Convention 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today, His Royal Highness stated that the proposed global framework should build upon existing governance standards developed by Indonesia, the Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), and Kazakhstan.

Sultan Nazrin suggested that the International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF) University consider serving as the secretariat to coordinate the global initiative.

“Let us commission an international, open, consultative working group…extending them into a common, voluntarily adoptable set of core principles that any waqf institution can use,” Sultan Nazrin said.

The opening ceremony was attended by prominent leaders, including Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, in his capacity as President of the Malaysian Islamic Welfare Organisation (PERKIM), alongside Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Zulkifli Hasan.

Emphasising that governance models for waqf already exist across various jurisdictions, Sultan Nazrin urged international stakeholders to focus on cross-border collaboration rather than reinventing institutional mechanisms.

“We do not need to start from scratch, but rather join the dots and open the doors for the genuinely inclusive development of international waqf guidance,” His Royal Highness noted.

To reinforce public trust, the Perak Ruler called for the rapid adoption of digital cash waqf platforms backed by real-time public dashboards to guarantee transparency and operational accountability.

“Let us accelerate the shift towards digital cash-waqf platforms with radically transparent, real-time public dashboards,” he said.

In addition, Sultan Nazrin proposed launching a pilot initiative titled “Waqf for Peace and Planetary Resilience,” bringing together selected institutions across Malaysia, Indonesia, and ASEAN member nations to fund renewable energy projects and climate-resilient infrastructure while fostering environmental stewardship and social harmony.

Addressing systemic vulnerabilities within the sector, His Royal Highness pointed out that vast waqf assets remain underutilised globally due to administrative flaws, incomplete record-keeping, disputed land ownership, and weak governance structures.

“Too much of our waqf today lies dormant. Its lands sit idle, its records are incomplete, its titles are disputed, and its potential goes unrealised,” he remarked, adding that waqf entities must embed the principles of balance, justice, mercy, and trusteeship into their operational frameworks.

Sultan Nazrin reminded administrators that managing waqf is an amanah (sacred trust), calling on all trustees to maintain the highest standards of integrity and diligence.

“The time for action is now… Let it not be said of our generation that we admired the achievements of our forefathers and added none of our own,” His Royal Highness concluded.

-NMT